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The document examines how forest fires, driven by both intentional land clearing and climate change, create severe air pollution that impacts human health globally. It highlights specific crises in the Amazon, Australia, and Canada, noting increased respiratory and cardiovascular emergencies, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and significant disruptions to healthcare infrastructure. The authors call for forest protection, improved community adaptation, long-term health research, and global climate action aligned with the Paris Agreement.

The report examines how forest fires, driven by climate change in temperate regions and intentional land clearing in the Amazon, create severe air pollution that impacts large populations. It highlights the acute risks of PM2.5 particulate matter, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions, and calls for improved health system preparation, Indigenous-led fire management, and urgent global climate mitigation.

The report examines the critical health crisis in the Brazilian Amazon caused by intentional forest fires used for agricultural land clearing. It highlights that smoke-related pollution frequently exceeds WHO safety guidelines, leading to increased hospitalizations for respiratory and cardiovascular issues. Indigenous populations are identified as particularly vulnerable due to pre-existing health conditions and limited access to healthcare, with a noted synergy between air pollution and COVID-19 severity. The document calls for an urgent suspension of deforestation and the implementation of stricter air quality monitoring and public health warnings.

The report examines how developing nations can adapt the 'just transition' framework—traditionally focused on developed economies—to their unique socio-economic contexts, particularly regarding high levels of informal employment. Through case studies in Indonesia, Ghana, and Colombia, it finds that awareness of just transition is low among government officials and that Covid-19 responses have generally not been linked to climate mitigation or adaptation strategies. The document argues for a multidimensional approach that places workers and marginalized communities at the center of decision-making and provides guidelines for national governments to build institutional foundations and participatory processes for a fair low-carbon transition.

The report examines the challenges and opportunities of implementing just transition (JT) frameworks in developing nations, highlighting the critical role of the informal economy and the need for context-specific definitions. Through case studies in Colombia, Ghana, and Indonesia, it finds that while some governments are beginning to incorporate JT into climate plans—most notably Colombia in its revised NDCs—awareness remains low and inter-ministerial coordination is often lacking. The document emphasizes that COVID-19 recovery packages have generally not been linked to climate mitigation or adaptation strategies. It provides guidelines for national governments to foster inclusive decision-making, build institutional capacity, and engage marginalized groups, including informal workers and traditional leaders.

The report examines the application of just transition principles in developing countries, highlighting the need for context-specific definitions and the inclusion of the informal economy. Through case studies in Indonesia, Ghana, and Colombia, it finds that while awareness of just transition varies—with Colombia being the only one to explicitly include it in its revised NDC—there is a general lack of practical application and cross-ministerial coordination. The document emphasizes that Covid-19 responses have not yet been linked to climate strategies and recommends a participatory, co-produced approach to policy development to ensure marginalized groups are not left behind.

The report finds that finance for energy access in high-impact countries (HICs) remains critically insufficient. In 2019, tracked electricity finance in HICs fell to USD 32 billion, with residential access funding at less than one-third of the required annual investment. Clean cooking investment has stagnated around USD 130 million annually, far below the USD 4.5 billion needed. While private investment in clean cooking reached a peak of USD 56 million in 2019, multilateral DFI support plummeted. The report emphasizes the need for climate-resilient infrastructure, as seen in Mozambique, and highlights divergent technological paths in Ghana (LPG) and Vietnam (biogas).

The report finds that global investment for energy access is critically insufficient. Finance for electricity in high-impact countries (HICs) fell to USD 32 billion in 2019, while clean cooking commitments stagnated around USD 130 million, far below the USD 4.5 billion annual need. While grid-connected renewables became the top electricity sector in 2019, decentralized solutions remain severely underfunded. The report emphasizes the need for climate-resilient infrastructure, as seen in Mozambique, and explores divergent clean cooking pathways in Ghana (LPG) and Vietnam (biogas).

The Pacific Islands Climate Storybook 2021 outlines a methodology for 'Climate Services Dialogs'—three-day workshops designed to bridge the gap between scientific climate data and local experiential knowledge. The process involves sharing climate knowledge, diagnosing existing services using the 'READY-SET-GO' framework, and developing 'Climate Stories' to communicate best practices. The report includes several case studies from the region, such as the impact of the 1997–98 El Niño on water resources in American Sāmoa, coastal flooding in Papua New Guinea and the Marshall Islands, and the link between drought and disease outbreaks in the Marshall Islands. It emphasizes the need for co-production of knowledge, community engagement, and the integration of traditional knowledge with scientific forecasts to enhance regional resilience.

The Cango Caves installed a decentralized wastewater treatment system for R2.5 million to replace an inefficient reed bed facility. The system treats and reuses approximately 70% of effluent for flushing and irrigation, resulting in a 60% reduction in potable water demand (over 3.6 million litres per annum) and R163,200 in municipal water savings during its first year of operation (September 2019 – September 2020).

The Clothing Bank, established in 2010 in Cape Town, addresses the dual problems of retail waste and poverty by collecting unsold or damaged clothing from corporate retailers and providing it to unemployed single mothers. Through a 24-month training programme, these women are equipped to run sustainable clothing sales businesses. As of May 2021, the initiative has diverted 13.7 million textile items from landfill and supported 229 women in Cape Town alone, who have generated R72.8 million in revenue. The model is largely self-funding, with a self-funding ratio of 89% in the 2019 financial year, and has scaled to five branches across South Africa.

The document outlines a resilience framework—survive, adapt, and thrive—applied to support green businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the role of international collaborations, such as the International Cleantech Network and the EU Delegation, in providing financial and strategic support to green SMMEs. Key outcomes include the retention of 760 jobs and the creation of 41 new jobs through the Green Outcomes Fund, as well as the integration of South African cleantech solutions into the Solar Impulse Foundation's global portfolio.

The document details a refrigeration upgrade at Pick ‘n’ Pay Ceres provided by Energy Partners Refrigeration (EPR) using a CaaS model. By replacing an end-of-life simplex system with an air-cooled, direct expansion multiplex rack configuration using R407F refrigerant and variable speed drives, the store reduced average refrigeration energy consumption by 35% and overall cost per refrigeration-hour by 30%. The CaaS model eliminated upfront costs for the client, with EPR owning and maintaining the system over a 10-15 year term, funded by a portion of the monthly energy savings.

Excellent Meat achieved a 30% reduction in water consumption between 2017 and 2020 by implementing smart water flow meters and internal awareness campaigns. These measures, which cost R 360,958, resulted in a total cost saving of R 1,500,312, including water and wastewater costs, yielding an overall benefit of R 1,139,355.

The Century City Urban Square (CCUS), a mixed-use development by Rabie Property Group, utilizes treated effluent (TE) from the Potsdam treatment works for irrigation, cooling tower consumption, and toilet and urinal flushing. This strategy, combined with water-efficient fittings and real-time monitoring, significantly reduces potable water demand and operating costs. In 2017, the CCUS consumed 0.18kl of potable water per annum per m2 of Gross Build Area (GBA), compared to 1.09kl per annum per m2 in a comparable development without these resilience measures. The use of TE offsets approximately 44,000 kl of potable water annually, resulting in R2.3-million in water and sanitation savings based on 2021 tariffs.

The document outlines the architecture of smart water systems, presenting case studies from Cape Agulhas, Saldanha Bay, and Bergrivier municipalities to demonstrate benefits such as cost savings and improved billing. It provides a checklist for municipalities to assess their readiness and a cost-benefit analysis comparing ultrasonic smart meters to conventional mechanical meters, while listing funding resources like SIDAFF and the DBSA's Non Revenue Water Programme.

The document outlines the structure of smart water networks and provides evidence from South African municipalities on how sensor-based systems can reduce costs and improve billing. It emphasizes that smart systems must address specific problems and be supported by internal IT capacity to avoid magnifying existing inefficiencies.

The document outlines the strategic importance of groundwater in South Africa, detailing the legal requirements under the National Water Act and providing technical recommendations for borehole monitoring to prevent depletion and contamination.

Warwick Wine Estate installed a 23 kl/d MBR wastewater treatment plant to replace an ineffective system and reduce the costs of sewage removal. The project provides a sustainable irrigation source of 10 kl/d, reducing reliance on rain and groundwater. With a capital cost of R 1,100,000 and a payback period of 2.9 years, the estate expects monthly savings of R 31,350 after the payback period.

The document outlines best practices for mine closure, emphasizing the necessity of early planning and robust financial assurance to prevent the state from inheriting liabilities from abandoned mines. It specifically examines the comprehensive national laws in Chile and Peru, noting that while both align with international standards for physical and chemical stability, they lack significant emphasis on social transition and post-mining land use. The study details the specific legal milestones, financial instruments, and reporting requirements used in both countries to ensure mine sites are safely reclaimed.